What's happened to baby?

What's happened to baby? written by members of SIDS (Wellington), Sands (Wellington) and Skylight, illustrated by Ali Teo. Skylight 2007. 

Simple and direct, this tells the story of a whanau / family grieving at the early death of their baby. It is narrated by the big sister, and includes reassuring messages to childhood questions and fears – including magical thinking (was it something I did?).

Sam’s story by Fiona Chin-Yee

Sam’s story by Fiona Chin-Yee, illustrated by Bill Johnson. Project Sam Publishing Company, 1988.

Sam is trying to make sense of his world and family following the cot death of his baby brother, Little Pat. Sam's mother is overwhelmed by grief and cannot cope with Sam's questions. Sam remembers the day Little Pat died, when nothing was explained to him. Now his home doesn't feel like home anymore. Sam believes in magical thinking, that if he is good and brave then the big men (the ambulance drivers) will bring Little Pat back. Sam's Gran comes to visit to help Sam understand about Little Pat's death. [Includes Parent Guide]

A family project by Sarah Ellis

A family project by Sarah Ellis. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 1986.
[Also published as The baby project]

Jessica's family are overjoyed with the addition of Lucie, their new baby sister. The book spends a lot of time on Jessica and her family's day-to-day life, including Jessica and her best friend, Margaret's, Baby Project for school. But one night, while Jessica is at a friend's place, baby Lucie dies of cot death. The book then follows the family's reactions as each member grieves differently. At the end of the novel Jessica is beginning to celebrate Lucie's short life.

Morgan's baby sister by Patricia Polin Johnson

Morgan's baby sister: a read-aloud book for families who have experienced the death of a newborn by Patricia Polin Johnson, and Donna Reilly Williams, illustrated by Suzanne Schaffhausen. Resource Publications, 1993.

This book is designed for reading aloud and sharing with children. Concepts are aimed at this age group,however the text is longer than they could read for themselves. The book details Morgan and her family's joy and preparations for their new baby, and also their grief when the baby, Marissa, is born prematurely and cannot survive.  It includes a memorial service for Marissa. [Includes notes for Parents]

Loving Ben by Elizabeth Laird

Loving Ben by Elizabeth Laird. Delacorte Press, 1989. 

Anna is 12 when her brother Ben is born with hydrocephalus. Anna loves Ben and spends a lot of time with him, until he dies when he is two. The family dynamics changed with Ben's birth resulting in Anna and Katy, her 7-year-old sister, feeling left out. When Ben dies Anna's life changes.  Each member of the family cope in different ways, Katy has a large amount of guilt as she had had the least patience for Ben. Anna begins to baby-sit for Jackie, a little girl with Downs Syndrome, using her experience with Ben. One day Anna takes Jackie to the cemetery and sees Ben's grave. Jackie plays in the cemetery, which Anna believes is just what Ben would have liked.

A new star by Helen Lucas

A new star by Helen Lucas, illustrated by Naomi C. Lewis. Random House, 1996.

This book deals with possibly the hardest death of all represented: the cot death of a little sister.  The book begins with memories of baby Tanya, showing the close bond within the family, and the integral part Tanya played in the family, however young she was. The family grieves together after Tanya's death at a few months old. Tanya is the new star of the title, twinkling down upon her family, while her body lies in the ground surrounded by special things. This is a beautiful book  

Baby by Patricia MacLachlan

Baby by Patricia MacLachlan. Delacorte Press, 1993.

After the tourists leave the Island at the end of summer Larkin's family is left a baby, Sophie, to care for until her mother can look after her herself. Sophie's arrival creates the chance for Larkin to express her anger at her parents after the death of her new-born baby brother.  Her parents never talk about him and didn't name him. Larkin never saw him and has not had her grief recognised and acknowledged. Once her anger is verbalised the family begins to heal.

Starry, starry night by Lurlene McDaniel

Starry, starry night: three holiday stories by Lurlene McDaniel.  Bantam, 1998

The first short story in this collection, "The Christmas child," tells of Melanie's joy over the birth of her sister and the loss of her at four-days-old, as she has anencephalies. Melanie's friends offer comfort and support during this time. Melanie comes to realise that baby Jennifer’s life did have meaning, however short it was, as "[w]e loved her because she belonged to us. To our family."

Coping with cot death by Merren Parker

Coping with cot death by Merren Parker.  Reed Methuen, 1986.

This book contains valuable advice and information. There are two especially relevant chapters for this bibliography: Sharing the loss with other Children and The subsequent child, also information in The funeral is also relevant. The book offers advice for parents and other family members. A lot of the material is also relevant for those who have suffered the loss of babies through stillbirth or a miscarriage.